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Not a great race – Synchronised winning proved that
And Henderson needs to be careful with Long Run next season. Should have won comfortably even with WC onboard but faded tamely.
Thought it was a great race – Synchronised is an improver and showed it. Long Run has NEVER convinced me and i don’t think he’s as good as some say. He had every chance and didn’t take it.
Some horses go on ‘forever’ at the top of their game; many others have one great season and never go on from there – maybe LR is in the latter category.
Nuff said.Just thought I would add my two penn’orth…..
Personally it was an exciting race but not a top class one.The winner has won IMO because several horses underperformed!!
Kauto Star (obviously)
Long Run (some would argue he should have beat Burton Port further)
Midnight Chase ( didn’t get a soft lead)But none of this should detract from the ride AP gave the winner!! A perfect example of why he has been champ for so many years.
To clarify my lame argument:
I think Long Run is more beatable than some peeps thought or wanted to believe. There really is no excuse for his defeat and how anyone can blame the jockey I don’t know.
The horse is what he is – a good animal that is there or thereabouts in the top races. He does not have a turn of foot IMHO.
If only King Kauto had given his running then he would have beaten Long Run and put to bed any doubts about the previous two beatings he’d given him.
Even Henderson said Kauto wasn’t right when Long Run beat him – isn’t that enough to show the horse (LR) has just run to the same form again in the Gold Cup? It was a better race this year.
If only Zarkava was here to make some sense of all this!
Zip
Totally agree Zippy
It takes a very special horse to dominate a Gold Cup and Long Run failed to do that. More than a few people have questioned the media hype poured on him and were not taken in by it.
Can’t see how anyone can even think about blaming SWC who had him perfectly placed if good enough. A lesser jockey may have panicked and got involved sooner but Sam bided his time made his move at the right time and was simply wasn’t good enough on the day.
Synchronised shocked more than a few in the Lexus when winning very easily in what was thought to be unsuitable ground.
For those of us who doubted Long Run being some sort of superduperstar this comes as less of a surprise as it always had the look of a race where stamina may prove to be the most important factor.
That said he’d probably still leave the winner for dead round Kempton imo so he’s hardly a back number.
As far as Synchronised being a poor Gold Cup winner is concerned only time will tell. He’s not going to be winning King George’s on the bridle like Kauto and it must be doubtul that Jonjo will even ask him to try.
All Jonjo will be thinking about is Gold Cup number 2 and he’ll probably be sent on much the same route as Don’t Push It was when being aimed at his 2nd National. Stick him in some hurdle race 16 canters short of a gallop
I think he’s actually worth backing for next years race AP…Let’s not forget Synchronised has one huge asset over the likes of Long Run and co. If it happened to come up a bog next year he’d be almost certain to win the race again and if it doesn’t the way Jonjo can ready them he could still win it.
On ATR review of Cheltenham this morning:
about the Gold Cup.
Alan Lee: It was poor renewal
Matt Chapman: It was a bad race
Big Mac: A poor renewal.Oh, how I feel vindicated.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
Even Henderson said Kauto wasn’t right when Long Run beat him – isn’t that enough to show the horse (LR) has just run to the same form again in the Gold Cup? It was a better race this year.
Zip
Agree, As you and Nicky say, Kauto Star wasn’t right last season…
In the same way Long Run hasn’t been at his best this season. They are not machines.
You’ve only got to compare the "Denman" Chase with Friday’s result to realise Long Run didn’t even run to the Newbury form, let alone his Gold Cup winning form.
Look at this season’s King George form. If you’re saying
Long Run ran to form this week
, then you’re also saying
Kauto Star isn’t as good as people think he is
. Can’t have it both ways Zip.
Value Is EverythingThe 3 mile + division is in a period of decline, last year’s Gold Cup was not a good quality race and nor was this. Just because their were horses running in the race that had shown a high level of form in their heyday, it does not mean they ran to that level. Going into Friday’s race both Long Run and Kauto Star’s official ratings were exaggerated by sentiment. Synchronised did not have to improve on his rating of 168 to win.
On ATR review of Cheltenham this morning:
about the Gold Cup.
Alan Lee: It was poor renewal
Matt Chapman: It was a bad race
Big Mac: A poor renewal.Oh, how I feel vindicated.
Just watching the repeat on ATR – i think you’ve been a little selective in the quotes you’ve included in your post.
There’s plenty of positive stuff being said about the win and the ‘team’ that surrounds Synchronised.
Oh, how i feel vindicated.The 3 mile + division is in a period of decline, last year’s Gold Cup was not a good quality race and nor was this.
I’ve lost track of the number of times people say this kind of thing – it was a decent quality race – one could go on forever dissing this race and that.
I’m happy – i spotted the value in Synchronised well before Pricewise!
GET IN!!I really can’t think of a seasoned chaser of years apart from Arkle that wasn’t given a hard race by something during it’s career.
To be fair to both Kauto Star and Long Run the only time they have met when both were very near there best was in the last King George but by then Kauto as brilliant as he was, was/is a bit long in the tooth.
I’d say it’s fair to say he was flattered by that result and by his Gold Cup/King George double.
Not for one minute am I saying he’s not a good horse nor am I saying he doesn’t deserve some credit but he is not and never will be a Kauto Star.
How can you say Long Run hasn’t run up to his best Ginge?. If you are basing that on Burton Port, 10 lbs worse of finished 5 lengths behind that’s crazy when surely there’s more chance of Burton Port having improved for the run than there was Long Run.
His form does not read like a great horses just a very good one who is very beatable.
Kempton he beat Riverside Theatre who has never won at the trip ans probably never will.
Gold Cup: He beat Denman way past his best and an out of form Kauto.
Lost to Kauto Lost to Kauto beat Burt Port Lost to Synchronised.
I can see much the sameness in his form. He’s simply not as good as some would like to think he is and nothing is going to change that.
If Kauto Star had been ok I doubt if he would have got up the hill in that race on Friday. Couple of years ago he’d have come down the hill so fast the winner wouldn’t have caught him but that was then and this is now.
Things are changing rapidly and Long Run is going to find it tougher to win Grade 1’s next season, all of them are!…I’d send him to Aintree and grab the Bowl while the going is good if he’s over his exertions in time.
The Waley Cohens are perfectly entitled to put who they want on their horse. However, we are most certainly not seeing Long Run at his best. The horse would be a tricky ride for Barry, AP, or Ruby and SWC has shown himself to be a very good amateur jockey in winning a GC and a KG on him. But what brave men they would be if they were to say, we have had our fun maybe we should try something different and let BG have a go. Think it will probably be down to SWC to be the man and say to his dad I am a big enough man to let someone else have a go. I think everyone who matters in racing would have massive respect were he to make such a decision, I hope he does. Congratulations to JP, without his generosity where would jump racing be? I would suggest up the amazon with a toothpick as a paddle!!!!
I am with you on this Paddy, I think the horse is a very good horse who has done exceptionally well, despite, rather than because of SWC. I don’t understand why this horse gets the bashing he gets from some people. He wins the Gold Cup, the King George, and has never been out of the frame in any race he has raced in.
He clearly was below form in the Gold Cup, finishing behind the Giant Bolster, whom he completely trounced at Newbury last time, giving him 4lbs.
I don’t think, and I’ve said this before, that Sam sets him right for many of his fences, and he is tactically unaware. He was fairly beaten by Long Run in the King George this year, but I don’t think Geraghty would have allowed Ruby to steal a march on Kauto, which is what he did. I know some will counter this with Long Run not being able to go with him. Actually that is a fair point for some to raise, but I’m not so sure that is the case, and like you I think that a top jock, in this case Geraghty, would have this horse jumping and traveling better.
The plaudits handed to Kauto Star after the King George were were rightly given. It was said he was the greatest chaser (no problem accepting this) of all time, and that he was right back to his very best.
Long Run finishes 1 1/4 lengths behind "the greatest chaser", who is "right back to his best", closing him down at the finish….and by some accounts, he is little better than a donkey?????. I simply don’t understand the bile that’s been spouted by some about this horse.
I hope that next year, Sam does the right thing and stands aside, I think it depends on whether he wants the horse to do well, or whether he just enjoys his time riding a high profile horse in top races, which he would never get from any trainer, other than his father owns the horse.
Before people have a go at me about berating SWC. Let me put that straight. I like SWC, he seems a perfectly nice guy. I also think that he is a decent jockey for an amateur. But anyone who thinks it would not make any difference putting Geraghty, instead of SWC on the horse, is in denial. If it made no difference, then you might as well stick Wilson Renick or Richie McGrath (decent jocks as they are) on Big Bucks or Simonsig.
The fact of the matter is that top jockeys are top jockeys for a reason. They are better than the others at getting horses settled, keeping them in the best position in the race, and seeing the right stride before a jump. They give a horse confidence.
I know I am going to get shot at by a few on here, who dislike, or appear to dislike Long Run, but before they do, can I point out that I am giving my honest opinion on the matter, and I would like to point out that I had no money on LR, so I am not speaking out of my pocket.
I agree with you Paddy, I think it is for Sam to say to his dad that perhaps he should step aside, but i won’t hold my breath.
The 3 mile + division is in a period of decline, last year’s Gold Cup was not a good quality race and nor was this. Just because their were horses running in the race that had shown a high level of form in their heyday, it does not mean they ran to that level. Going into Friday’s race both Long Run and Kauto Star’s official ratings were exaggerated by sentiment. Synchronised did not have to improve on his rating of 168 to win.
Nobody is saying Kauto Star and Denman ran to their best EF. Denman rated 175 in Timeform last season, 181 the season before. Kauto Star 168 last season, 191 the season before. Nobody is judging Long Run’s Gold Cup winning form on Denman and Kauto Star’s best form. Although there might now be a question mark over Timeform’s 184 Long Run last term.
In hindsight, I doubt whether he improved to win at Cheltenham. I think it best to rate him on the two King Georges. 12 length beating of Riverside Theatre and 1 1/4 lengths defeat by Kauto Star. Together with the Betfair "Denman" (Aon) Chase, which isn’t far behind those two performances. A half length beating of Burton Port giving 10 lbs to Burton Port. For some reason on Friday Long Run was below the form of those four runs.
Value Is Everything[quote="Wilts"
Just watching the repeat on ATR – i think you’ve been a little selective in the quotes you’ve included in your post.
There’s plenty of positive stuff being said about the win and the ‘team’ that surrounds Synchronised.
Oh, how i feel vindicated.They quotes may not be verbatim, but they all agreed that it was a poor Gold Cup by previous satndards.
Matt Chapman also said that there is no way in this world that anyone would have considered Synchronised a "Gold Cup horse" beforehand… no way, he said.
Chapman had also predicted before the race that Kauto Star would be pulled up. For Tony McCoy to say he knew Sychronised was going to win the race a long way out is just poppycock. His mount was being rousted along and off the bridle for most of the race. I maintain that a more enterprising ride from a more able professional jockey would have secured Long Run victory – and no one is going to persude me otherwise.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
They quotes may not be verbatim, but they all agreed that it was a poor Gold Cup by previous satndards.
Matt Chapman also said that there is no way in this world that anyone would have considered Synchronised a "Gold Cup horse" beforehand… no way, he said.
Chapman had also predicted before the race that Kauto Star would be pulled up. For Tony McCoy to say he knew Sychronised was going to win the race a long way out is just poppycock. His mount was being rousted along and off the bridle for most of the race. I maintain that a more enterprising ride from a more able professional jockey would have secured Long Run victory – and no one is going to persude me otherwise.
I considered the horse beforehand – glad i did.
I’ve never been convinced about LR – but i’ve always been convinced about the Champ being able to get the best out of a v good horse.
Happy days!Long Run’s key weakness tends to be overlooked by many – even the pro form summarisers: he cannot bend his back properly and often drags his lower hind legs through the tops of fences.
They would not necessarily go down as errors as he appears to land and get away OK. It becomes really noticeable when he’s under pressure but he does it regularly throughout many of his races.
Like the Chinese water torture, that steady drip-drip-drip effect of these must be energy sapping, probably to a significant degree.
They might also indicate a physical back problem which has not been picked up and could be causing the horse pain.
"Himself":3eoufj58 wrote:
They quotes may not be verbatim, but they all agreed that it was a poor Gold Cup by previous satndards.
Matt Chapman also said that there is no way in this world that anyone would have considered Synchronised a "Gold Cup horse" beforehand… no way, he said.
Chapman had also predicted before the race that Kauto Star would be pulled up. For Tony McCoy to say he knew Sychronised was going to win the race a long way out is just poppycock. His mount was being rousted along and off the bridle for most of the race. I maintain that a more enterprising ride from a more able professional jockey would have secured Long Run victory – and no one is going to persude me otherwise.
Is it ok if we try
First off I’d like to think Jonjo is a better judge than Mark Chapman and he certainly thought Sychronise was a gold cup horse or would never have run him as did the thousands of people who backed him and took fortunes out of the ring. He started at 8/1 jt 3rd av "H" not 50/1 so someone fancied him.
When you say a more enterprising ride I take it you mean Sam should have gone sooner. But that doesn’t compute at all because he’s been held up and despite almost getting to the front after the last he has weakened up the hill and was re-passed by TGB’ Had Sam made more use of him wouldn’t he have weakened even sooner?
Sam as far as I can see did the right thing conserving energy for that final climb to the line. He was trying his heart out for Sam and even AP couldn’t have got enough out of him to have won.
Plus Synchronise was just starting to run and pull away when he crossed the line another 300 yds he’d have won by 20 lengths.
No one is denying Long Run was the classiest horse in the field but if you have to depend solely on that you need oodles more than he has as was blatantly obvious on Friday….It may well have been a bad Gold Cup but it was a damn sight better than last years when Long Run in real terms beat nothing but names.
I fear we are entering in to a fallow period for the Gold Cup. Synchronised and the Giant Bolster !!!
Best Mate, Kauto, Denman, Long Run , a golden spell. Back to the days when good handicapers were winning the GC. Cant say any of the current novices fill me in anticipation at the moment. Same thing happened with the hurdlers, i suppose these things go in cycles.
Long Run may come back, he is young enough, but he has been poor all season and you have to wonder if last years GC has left its mark on him.
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